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Des Kennedy

1944 – 2023

Australian rules footballer

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About Des Kennedy

Lived 1944 – 2023 (aged 79). Des Kennedy was an australian rules football player.

John Desmond "Des" Kennedy (11 March 1944 - 24 September 2023) was an Australian rules footballer who played with St Kilda in the Victorian Football League (VFL).

Kennedy, aged just 19, won the best and fairest award at Sandringham in 1963. He had played senior football with the Victorian Football Association (VFA) club since 1960 and was a member of their 1962 premiership team, kicking the decisive goal in a one-point grand final triumph.

A follower, Kennedy started his St Kilda career in 1965 and played in all 20 games that they played that season. This included the 1965 VFL Grand Final, where Kennedy ended up in the losing side. Although St Kilda broke through for their inaugural premiership in 1966, Kennedy was absent, having injured his knee in the semi-final against Collingwood.

He finished his career back at Sandringham and won "best and fairest" again in 1973. The following season he announced his retirement, with 101 VFA games to his name. He was inducted into the Sandringham Hall of Fame in 2014.

A son, Matthew Kennedy, played with both the Brisbane Bears and Brisbane Lions.

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Important facts

Birth century
Also known as
John Desmond Kennedy

People in Des Kennedy's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Des Kennedy's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Des Kennedy?

Australian rules footballer (1944-2023)

When was Des Kennedy born?

Des Kennedy was born on 11 March 1944.

When did Des Kennedy die?

Des Kennedy died on 24 September 2023.

What was Des Kennedy's occupation?

Des Kennedy was an australian rules football player.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Des Kennedy

· Wikidata: Q5263477

· DBpedia: Des Kennedy (Australian footballer, born 1944)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Des Kennedy. https://biography.guide/des-kennedy/

MLA: "Des Kennedy." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/des-kennedy/.

Chicago: "Des Kennedy." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/des-kennedy/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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